Democrat declares he'll run for first selectman in Preston

Democrat Vincent Eleazer came to Preston Town Hall Thursday night and publicly told First Selectman Robert Congdon that he plans to challenge him in the November election.

JAMES MOSHER

Democrat Vincent Eleazer came to Preston Town Hall Thursday night and publicly told First Selectman Robert Congdon that he plans to challenge him in the November election.

During the public comment portion of the Board of Selectmen meeting, Eleazer informed the nine-term Republican incumbent that he would be competing against him.

“Even though I respect you, I don’t agree with you on some things and I plan on challenging you,” Eleazer said, without naming any specific issues. “I’m looking forward to a healthy debate.”

Congdon, smiling, replied: “Healthy debate is a good thing.”

After that Eleazer walked around the table that Congdon and fellow selectmen Michael Sinko and Timothy Bowles were seated at and the two men shook hands after Congdon rose from his seat.

Congdon noted that he hasn’t announced if he will seek another term. He said Thursday he will make a decision before the Republican Party caucus in mid-July.

Eleazer’s public declaration was not a surprise, Congdon said. Several reporters had contacted Congdon earlier in the day asking him about Eleazer. Eleazer acknowledged that he had informed some in the media.

Eleazer identified himself as a lobbyist who has worked on economic development and other public policy issues. He said he has lived in Preston for more than 20 years and has had children in the school system. In 2009, Eleazer, a member of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the tribal council. The tribe’s reservation and Foxwoods Resort Casino border Preston.

Democratic Town Committee Chairman Gerald Grabarek, who was not at the meeting, said he met Eleazer for the first time at a town budget hearing in April. There are no other Democratic candidates for first selectman at this time, Grabarek said Friday.

Bowles, a Democrat who challenged Congdon in the last two municipal elections, announced Thursday that he won’t run against Congdon in November. Bowles was elected state representative last year and he said he will announce in the near future whether he plans to run for re-election to the Board of Selectmen.

Congdon, a certified public accountant and a former small business owner, has had at least two close election victory margins during his career. He defeated Bowles by 16 votes in 2011.

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